The traumatic effects of separation of children from their indigenous families and communities on the Stolen Generation.

by

Kym Schellen

Bringing Them Home Counsellor

Nunkuwarrin Yunti of SA Inc.

Workshop

Abstract

The indigenous experience since colonization has been clouded by various government policies and acts which brought about acts of dispossession, disintegration of the individual, the family, the community and the culture. These acts and policies often led to indigenous people experiencing various atrocities including genocide, murder, rape and numerous forms of abuse. The most recent of these acts brought about a generation of indigenous people being removed from their families as children. These children became known as the Stolen Generation.   These children were placed either in foster families, church run missions or in various government institutions.

The effects of the experiences of the Stolen Generation have left them dislocated and alienated. The National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health and Social and Emotional Well Being highlights significantly higher rates of mental disorders. To date, however, little has been done to address increasing rates of mental health issues for this community. The prevalence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or Traumatic Reaction within the community is likely to be en masse. Mental health practices currently seem to reinforce the tendency to pathologize the effects of the Stolen Generation experience.

The aim of this workshop would firstly highlight the traumatic effects of separation from family and community by looking at the effects on mental health and social and emotional well being. Secondly, it will seek to bring about ways of understanding and “normalizing” the effects of their experiences.

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